Computer outfitter Other World Computing announced the release of its 8GB DDR3 Memory Upgrade Kit and 4GB DDR3 Memory Upgrade Modules for Apple's MacBook Pro 17-inch "Unibody" models on Thursday. The modules are also available in kits of up to 6GB for previous MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops.

The new MacBook Pro 17-inch laptops come standard from the factory with 4GB (2 x 2GB memory modules) of installed memory, with the only factory upgrade option of 8GB priced at US$1,000. In comparison, OWC's 8GB DDR3 Memory Kit (2 x 4GB matched memory modules for 8GB total memory) is priced at $697.99. The company is also offering a 4GB DDR3 Memory Module kit (add to existing 2GB factory chip for 6GB total memory) for $359.99.

The company also offers a series of free "Do-It-Yourself" videos to help with installation which showboth memory and hard drive upgrades being installed into a 17-inch unibody MacBook Pro.